Kenya & Rwanda Safari – Masai Mara & Mountain Gorillas (8 Days)

A Kenya and Rwanda safari pairs two of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences in a single eight-day journey. You spend three nights on game drives across the open plains of the Masai Mara, then fly to Kigali for a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, one of the most moving wildlife encounters on earth. The gorilla permit is included, the flights are arranged for you and the price starts from USD 4,900 per adult sharing.

Why Choose a Kenya and Rwanda Safari?

The Masai Mara and the Virunga volcanoes could hardly be more different. The Mara is wide, golden and full of predators. The Rwandan forest is misty, green and silent apart from the sounds of the gorillas. Seeing both on one trip gives you the full range of East African wildlife, and the short flight between Nairobi and Kigali means you do not lose days on the road.

The trip suits couples and bucket-list travellers who want a big wildlife experience in a short time. It also works well for people who have already visited Kenya and want to add gorillas to their list. Because the permit and flights are part of the price, planning is simple.

• Big cats: three nights of game drives in the Masai Mara.
• Gorillas: a trek with park rangers to spend one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
• Permit included: the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit (USD 1,500) is part of the package.
• Easy connections: the flight from Nairobi to Kigali takes about 1.5 hours.
• Culture and history: a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and a city tour.

Kenya and Rwanda Safari Route at a Glance

• Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi
• Day 2: Fly to the Masai Mara
• Days 3 to 4: Masai Mara game drives
• Day 5: Fly to Kigali and drive to Musanze
• Day 6: Gorilla trek
• Day 7: Volcanoes National Park
• Day 8: Return to Kigali and depart

The tour covers seven nights. Flights between Nairobi and the Mara, and between Nairobi and Kigali, are included, so the only long road transfers are the drives around Kigali and Musanze.

Day-by-Day Kenya and Rwanda Safari Itinerary

Days 1 to 4: Nairobi and the Masai Mara

Day 1, arrive in Nairobi. Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to your hotel. If you have time, you can add an optional visit to the Giraffe Centre, or read about nearby options on our Nairobi National Park safari page.

Day 2, fly to the Masai Mara. Fly from Wilson Airport to the Mara and head out on an afternoon game drive. The flight is short, and the view of the Rift Valley from the air is a bonus.

Day 3, a full day in the Mara. A full day of game drives with an optional sunrise balloon flight. Our Masai Mara safari page explains the reserve and its wildlife in more detail.

Day 4, the Masai Mara. Morning and afternoon game drives, followed by a farewell sundowner on your last evening in Kenya.

Days 5 to 8: Kigali and the Gorillas

Day 5, fly to Kigali. Fly back to Nairobi and on to Kigali. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, then drive to Musanze, the town near Volcanoes National Park. The memorial is a sobering visit and gives valuable context for the country you are about to explore.

Day 6, gorilla trek. Trek with park rangers to spend one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family. The afternoon is at leisure, or you can take a community visit.

Day 7, Volcanoes National Park. An optional golden monkey trek or a hike to the Dian Fossey tomb, then a relaxed afternoon at your lodge. The golden monkey permit is optional and not included in the package price.

Day 8, return to Kigali. Drive back to Kigali for your flight home.

Wildlife on a Kenya and Rwanda Safari

Each half of this journey offers a different kind of wildlife encounter. Here is what to expect in each.

The Masai Mara: big cats and plains game

The Mara has one of Kenya’s highest concentrations of predators. Lions are common, cheetahs hunt on the open plains and leopards hide in riverside trees. Elephants, giraffes, zebras and buffalo are easy to find, and between July and October wildebeest and zebra arrive during the Great Migration. Three nights give you time to see all of this at an unhurried pace.

Volcanoes National Park: mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas live in the forested slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. On a trek, park rangers lead you to a habituated family, and you spend one hour in its company. Treks take between one and six hours on steep, muddy slopes at altitude, so the length depends on where the gorillas are that day. The encounter is quiet, close and unforgettable, and it is the reason many travellers add Rwanda to a Kenya safari.

Golden monkeys and the Dian Fossey tomb

On the free day you can add an optional golden monkey trek or a hike to the Dian Fossey tomb. The golden monkey permit is not included, so tell us in advance if you would like to add it.

Accommodation and Pace

The package includes seven nights of accommodation as listed, with meals as listed. In Kenya you stay in a camp or lodge in the Mara, and in Rwanda you stay at a lodge near Volcanoes National Park. The pace is easy: two days of game drives, a travel day with a memorial visit, one trek day and one free day. In Rwanda you travel with a private vehicle and guide. Browse our Kenya lodges and camps to see the style of stay we use on the Kenyan side.

Best Time for a Kenya and Rwanda Safari

June to October is ideal for both countries, with the Great Migration in the Mara and drier trails in Rwanda. December to February is also good.

• January to February: dry, warm weather in Kenya and drier trails in Rwanda.
• March to May: the long rains. The countryside is green and prices are lower, but trails are muddier.
• June to October: the dry season and the best overall time, with the Great Migration in the Mara.
• November: short rains begin, with lush scenery.
• December: a good month for both countries, but busy during the festive weeks.

Gorilla permits are limited, so book early for peak months.

How Much Does a Kenya and Rwanda Safari Cost?

This Kenya and Rwanda safari starts from USD 4,900 per adult sharing. The price includes the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit, which costs USD 1,500 per person on its own, as well as the flights between Nairobi, the Mara and Kigali. The final price depends on the season, accommodation and group size. For a wider budgeting guide, see how much an African safari costs.

What Is Included and Not Included

• Flights Nairobi to Masai Mara to Nairobi, and Nairobi to Kigali
• 7 nights’ accommodation as listed
• Meals as listed
• Game drives in the Masai Mara
• Rwanda gorilla trekking permit (USD 1,500)
• Private vehicle and guide in Rwanda
• Park fees and all transfers

Not included: international flights to Nairobi and from Kigali, the Kenya eTA and Rwanda visa, travel insurance, the optional golden monkey permit, tips and gratuities, drinks and personal expenses.

Photography on a Kenya and Rwanda Safari

The Mara rewards a lens of 200 to 400 mm for big cats and wide-angle shots of the plains. The gorilla forest is very different: light is dim, gorillas sit close and you should expect to shoot at a high ISO. A fast lens helps in the forest, and rangers explain the rules on distance, which usually restrict flash photography. Waterproof protection for your camera bag is worth packing for the muddy trails.

What to Pack for a Kenya and Rwanda Safari

• Sturdy waterproof hiking boots with good grip for the gorilla trek.
• Long trousers and long-sleeved tops in neutral colours to protect against nettles and insects.
• Gardening gloves for gripping vegetation on steep trails.
• A waterproof jacket and warm layers, because the volcano slopes are cool and often wet.
• A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the Mara.
• Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries.
• Insect repellent and any malaria prevention recommended by your doctor.
• A soft-sided bag, since light aircraft have limited luggage space.

Visas, Health and Fitness

You need a Kenya eTA before arrival and a Rwanda visa, so check current requirements for your nationality and apply in good time. Malaria is present in much of Kenya and Rwanda, so speak to your doctor about prevention, and take out travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. Gorilla trekking needs reasonable fitness, and porters can carry your bag and help you on difficult sections. For official information, see Magical Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Kenya and Rwanda Safari FAQs

How much does the gorilla permit cost in Rwanda?

A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs USD 1,500 per person, and it is included in this package. Permits are limited, so book early for peak months.

How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?

Treks take 1 to 6 hours on steep, muddy slopes at altitude. Reasonable fitness helps, and porters can carry your bag and help you on difficult sections.

Can I fly from the Masai Mara straight to Rwanda?

No. You fly from the Mara back to Nairobi and connect to a flight to Kigali, which takes about 1.5 hours.

What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?

The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years. Younger family members can enjoy other activities nearby. For a trip that suits younger children, see our Kenya family safari packages.

When is the best time for a Kenya and Rwanda safari?

June to October is ideal for both, with the Great Migration in the Mara and drier trails in Rwanda. December to February is also good.

Who Is This Kenya and Rwanda Safari For?

The trip is aimed at couples and bucket-list travellers from the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands who want a major wildlife experience in a short time. It also suits repeat visitors to Kenya who have already seen the Mara and want to add something new. Because it includes an hour with mountain gorillas, it works best for travellers who are fit enough to enjoy a trek on steep, muddy ground, or who are happy to use a porter for support.

Families with children under 15 cannot join the gorilla trek, as the minimum age is 15. If you are travelling with younger children, a Kenya-only itinerary may be a better fit, and our team can suggest alternatives.

What to Expect on Your Gorilla Trek

The trek is the highlight of the Kenya and Rwanda safari, so it helps to know what happens on the day. You meet park rangers at the park office in the early morning, receive a briefing and are assigned to a habituated gorilla family. Rangers and trackers lead the way, and the walk can take anywhere from one to six hours depending on where the family spent the night.

When you reach the gorillas, you spend one hour with them. The rangers explain how close you may go and how to behave: keep your voice low, do not point or make sudden movements and keep your distance if a gorilla approaches. You will be asked not to use flash. The hour passes quickly, and most visitors describe it as the best wildlife encounter of their lives.

• Wear sturdy boots and long trousers, and carry water and a packed lunch.
• Hire a porter if you would like help with your bag or on difficult sections.
• Do not trek if you are unwell, because gorillas can catch human illnesses.
• Rest and recover at your lodge in the afternoon.

Practical Information for Your Kenya and Rwanda Safari

Money and tipping

Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling and Rwanda uses the Rwandan franc, while US dollars are accepted at many lodges and camps. Tips are not included in the price. It is customary to tip guides, drivers, trackers, porters and camp staff, and we will advise on suitable amounts before you travel.

Flights and luggage

The flights between Nairobi and the Mara use light aircraft with limited luggage space, so pack in soft bags. The flight from Nairobi to Kigali takes about 1.5 hours. Keep your valuables, camera and medication in your hand luggage.

Electricity and connectivity

Kenya uses the three-pin UK-style plug at 240 volts, and you should check the plug type for Rwanda before you leave. Bring a power bank for long days and expect patchy coverage in the bush and the mountains.

Language, time and altitude

English and Swahili are widely spoken in Kenya, and your guides speak English. Kenya and Rwanda both lie in East Africa and are close in time. Volcanoes National Park is at high altitude, so the air is cool and treks can be tiring. Drink plenty of water and take your time on the slopes.

If you would like more time in Kenya before you head to Rwanda, you can extend the safari or combine it with a longer route. Our private Kenya safari team can build a tailored itinerary.

Book Your Kenya and Rwanda Safari

Send us your dates and group size by WhatsApp or email, and we will reply with a written, itemised quote and a suggested route. Because gorilla permits are limited, an early enquiry gives you the best choice of dates. You can also compare more routes on our Kenya safari packages page.